MATRIXSYNTH

at 5/06/2006 02:03:00 AM

This one via Loscha, via this auction.

"Music Aid (Simmons) Claptrap

Super rare and highly collectable. 100% analogue circuitry!

This was made sometime in the 1970s by the company that was to become Simmons (famous for their digital percussion instruments).

I have never actually seen another one of these, and certainly not on ebay. I think Mouse on Mars have one.

Can be triggered from just about anything (see rear panel). I was triggering it from a TR-808 and MPC 3000 no problems.

Please note: it does not do 'realistic' handclaps. It is an analogue machine, so if freaky analogue percussive noises are your bag then this is the box for you. It is capable of all maner of classic Rolandesque snares, crashes etc aswell."

Title of post also curteousy of Loscha. Thanks Loscha!

at 5/06/2006 02:02:00 AM

Published on Feb 21, 2006 danbhala

"Me playing electroplankton and also playing a melodica put throught a boss gt6 guitar fx pedal. Some vocal samples from myself too with the aid of the ds!"

This one via Martin Neumann. More on Electroplankton: 1, 2, 3. Thanks Martin!

at 5/06/2006 02:01:00 AM

Bob actually sent me an email to let me know he put up some super hi resolution shots of the Oxford Synthesizer Company's OSCar. He said these are "most-likely these pictures are the best most folks will ever get to see of an OSCar." Yep... I think he might be right. These are really nice shots. Title link takes you there, including more shots of his studio and bigger shot of the one in this post. Thanks Bob!

at 5/06/2006 02:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Details:

"Legendary and very rare guitar synthesiser, designed by David Cockerell, and launched in 1973. As used by David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Pete Cosey, and Chemical Brothers, to name a few. Serviced by EMS in Cornwall in 2004, when they fitted the envelope bypass modification. Unfortunately the stand is long gone, but the unit is in good condition (considering it’s age), and full working order. Took me a year to come round to the idea of selling it, but I don’t use it anymore, and this unit doesn’t deserve to end up gathering dust on a shelf. Please contact me if you’ve got any questions."

Via fabmass. Thanks fabmass!

at 5/06/2006 01:59:00 AM

Looking for an MFB in the US? Infant Noise has 'em. Rumor has it this is Geoff Farr's new distribution channel. He was the US distributor for Waldorf, Access, Cwejman back in the day.

at 5/06/2006 01:58:00 AM

flickr by AdamVandenberg. This is the credits to the shot in the last post, done with the Apple II according to the caption. Check out the synth list.

Also check out this Dick Hyman Moog album cover.

at 5/06/2006 01:57:00 AM

flickr by AdamVandenberg.

at 5/06/2006 01:56:00 AM

flickr by larskflem.

at 5/06/2006 01:55:00 AM

"Yo to all.

Over the past few weeks, the EAR consortium folk have been busily developing
a custom performance system for a band some of you may have heard of - their
acronym being very close to the number which falls between 8 and 10.

While this instrument was being conceived, it was obvious that some product
development would be required as essential components from what we
considered to be a complete system were missing from our stable.

Not all of these new devices will be released to market as they are highly
specialized, not so much in function but more due to their
configuration...but many will be released, and I I'm happy to announce that
the first of these - The Plan B Polyphonic Envelope.

Polyphonic? whu?

Go here to have a look:

http://www.ear-group.com/model_10.html

The Model 10 should be available at our dealers in about a month's time,
therebouts.

Keep your eyes on the EAR site over the next couple of weeks as more devices
born from this development effort are brought to market...especially from
the Livewire line.

More Plan B News:

Quick updates on other Plan B new product development efforts - The Model 14
Dual Processor should be available in three or so weeks The PCBs are in, as
are the components, we are waitng for faceplates. The Model 16 Spectral
Multiplexer and Model 23 Analog Shift Register are in the PCB design stage -
prototype designs for both have been finalized. The Model 18 Milton's -
steady progress is being made in the programming - this instrument is on
time for an early summer release - pots and tactile switch have been ordered
(many), with the Model 16 Output Processor will be coming quickly after
that.

Please do not respond to this email directly as I cannot read mail sent to
this account. However, feel free to contact me at the address listed below.

best,

- P
_________________
Peter Grenader
w: http://www.ear-group.com
e: peter[]ear-group.com
p: 818 761 9906"

at 5/05/2006 11:42:00 AM

I'm happy to announce that the SynthSights audio blog, SynthSpins! is here.

SynthSights is a mailing list for people that use synthesizers to make music. The interesting spin on the list is that "it's not about the gear." It's a great list with a myriad of discussions on technique, style and well, just about anything as long as it's not about gear.

Not too long ago Jim Aikin, former senior editor of Keyboard magazine, joined the list and asked people what they did to get their music heard. The usual range of replies came back from playing shows to hosting websites with their music. I thought, hmm... This is all great but what will keep people coming back and... what do we all have in common? Then it clicked. Why not have a Synth Sights audio blog or podcast. Members could submit their music with links to their websites and people could subscribe and hear what people on the list are doing. I threw out the idea, people discussed the idea and ultimately we decided to do it. Four of us got together to work on it.

The moderator and owner of the list Cikira directed us, Doug Wyatt of Sonosphere developed the interface and feed for the audio blog, and Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics, home of the MonoWave, and host of the SynthSights website, revamped the look and feel of the site. Me? I just kind of sat around and said, "uh-huh, yeah, cool... gotta go post something on Matrixsynth!" : ) Well, in truth I did some of the verbiage.

Title link takes you there. When you get there, click on the "Listen to us" link on the left to get to the SynthSpins! audio blog. I've also added it to my blog roll on the right. BTW, don't forget to check out the member pages for some mass gear p*rn.

at 5/05/2006 11:31:00 AM

Click here for details. I want one. Via Henrik.

at 5/05/2006 11:03:00 AM

Update: Looks like it's the Moog System 1.

Title link takes you to more shots via Suit & Tie Guy.

Via Suit & Tie Guy on AH:
"so i visited a local college's EM lab tonight because i knew they had an early moog system.

"early" begins to describe it.

it was so old, the mixer and ribbon controller both had perfboard circuits, and the ribbon controller was made from a chuck of Formica tabletop!

now, i know you're probably thinking i'm quite naïve: "whoa hold it there STG, _everyone_ knows the ballsy tone of Keith Emerson's ribbon controller solos was because of the Formica base." but it seemed pretty damn freaky to me at the time. the Dymo legending on the console panel is a nice touch as well.

anyway, here are the pics:

http://www.suitandtieguy.com/sights/050406_bu_moog/

apparently i'll be spending more time with this beat up old bitch of a modular. if anyone wants me to A/B it with my Liberation i'd be happy to do so.

the keyboard acts so stupid on this thing i kind of want to play a solo with it just once so i can mystify everyone as to how i got that crazy sound. the best part is none of the knobs on the keyboard change anything at all.

also: no you are not seeing things, that really is an 18 space moog slant cabinet."

Hmm... Wonder if I beat Analog Industries on this one... : )

at 5/05/2006 09:33:00 AM

Remember this post? Well, the previews are up. Title link takes there. Via Sonic State.

at 5/05/2006 09:31:00 AM

Just thoght this was a cool shot of Thomas Dolby Live at Joe's Pub in NYC. Title link takes you to the post on Thomas Dolby's blog.

at 5/05/2006 09:23:00 AM

Hmm... Open Labs is claiming to be able to clone any synth.

"Open Labs has introduced Mimik, a new keyboard cloning software application that enables users to sample the sounds of virtually any MIDI-enabled keyboard or sound module directly into an Open Labs NeKo or MiKo keyboard station."

Hmm... Sounds like sampling to me.

"Open Labs tell us that, in addition to sampling actual sounds, Mimik can virtually replicate intricate nuances, including keyboard after-touch, at up to 128 velocities, as well as any note range and length, and note-off sound at up to 96 KHz/32 bit samples, in both stereo and mono."

Hmm... Still sounds like sampling to me.

Title link takes you to more on Sonic State. When I first saw this I thought it could be a realization of the PPG Realizer or some sort of resynthesis like the Hartman Neuron. But... It just looks like a sampler with sound editing capabilities. If anyone knows more, please feel free to comment.

at 5/05/2006 08:54:00 AM

And it's a synthy one. I see Arthur. Title link takes you there.

at 5/05/2006 12:11:00 AM

flickr by cray5656. Title link takes you to more shots of the Roland Jupiter 8 sent my way via Ross Healy.

at 5/05/2006 12:10:00 AM

flickr by mikest. DSI PEK display board.

at 5/05/2006 12:09:00 AM

Title link takes you to the full sized shot. Via Benjamin Ward on AH.

"I found this nice picture of Michael Cotten and part of his synth
arsenal in the mid-1970's.

For Tubes fans, MC is currently putting together an in-depth
documentary DVD of the Tubes in their halcyon days: http://
www.thetubesproject.com/

Ben
Korg Kornucopia - analogue synthesizers"

Via Chris Muir: "The top row in this picture is a bunch of SMS stuff, some of it custom."

at 5/05/2006 12:08:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots and an mpeg of the Xpander tuning process pulled from this auction. Via Melissa's Blog.

at 5/05/2006 12:07:00 AM

Lucky kid. Via Analog Industries.

at 5/05/2006 12:06:00 AM

flick by rodgre.

at 5/05/2006 12:05:00 AM

Title link takes you to a thread on the-gas-station with a number of Yamaha VL1 demos and thoughts on the synth.

at 5/05/2006 12:03:00 AM

"On Friday evening, May 19, starting at 7:00 PM EDST, musicians Jordan
Rudess and Richard Lainhart will perform live in WDFH's Studio 2.
Join us for Moog Space Jam Part II, hosted by Treavor Hastings.
Richard Lainhart and Jordan Rudess will be performing live, chatting,
and bringing along some influential music from their own libraries
for this three hour event.

Jordan is a world-class pianist as well as a highly accomplished
recording artist, composer, producer and performer, and has just
completed a world tour as keyboardist with the progressive rock group
Dream Theater. Richard Lainhart is an award winning composer,
author, and filmmaker. He is no stranger to the WDFH air waves and
has performed his own solo compositions with us several times in the
past. He and Jordan are coming back for their second round of Moog
Space improvisation.

Jordan will be performing on his vintage Moog Model D and Voyager
MiniMoogs, and Richard will be playing Moog virtual instruments
running on laptop and Muse Receptor. This is an event not to be
missed! Tune in at WDFH-FM 90.3 in the Lower Hudson River Valley or
online here at wdfh.org.

To find your local time, go here: http://www.greenwichmeantime.com
--

Richard Lainhart
O-Town Media
rlainhart[]otownmedia.com
http://www.otownmedia.com"

at 5/04/2006 01:42:00 AM

Title link takes you to some interesting shots by marjoriefare.

"for the synth leads in the intro, modulated by the MS20"

at 5/04/2006 01:26:00 AM

Title link takes you to a 1.88M mp3 by Microscope. Enjoy... or not. : )

at 5/04/2006 01:08:00 AM

This one sent my way via bananalogue.

"Image of new bananalogue VCS module sitting on a vintage serge modular" via this auction.

There is just something about this shot...

at 5/04/2006 01:07:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots via Cary Roberts on Retrosynth.

at 5/04/2006 01:06:00 AM

Wow. Title link takes you to more shots and the story on Music Thing.

at 5/04/2006 01:05:00 AM

Free VST Bass synth from WMAYM. Title link takes you there.

Features:
- analogue modelled high quality oscillators with 2 waveforms (saw and square)
- unique filtersound with 3 selectable characteristics
- filter envelope
- velocity sensitive accent
- note slide
- full MIDI controll with MIDI learn function
- interpolated controlls
- parameter finetune via right mouse button

at 5/04/2006 01:04:00 AM

Title link takes you to a fantasic flickr set of various synths by Jyoti_Mishra.

at 5/04/2006 01:03:00 AM

This one via Benjamin Pacheco.

"Here's a link to some tracks by my band, mus-ok. Among many other things they both feature my EML 101, 200, 400/401, Roland Space Echo, Future Retro 777, Univox MiniKorg, and the highly under valued Pioneer SR 202 Reverb ($20 on eBay)."

Title link takes you there.

at 5/04/2006 01:02:00 AM

flickr by Sameli.

at 5/03/2006 08:48:00 PM

Just heard the news via CDM. There is nothing on the Korg site yet.

"Korg USA mourns the passing of company President Michael Kovins. Michael, who worked with the company for 26 years, served as Korg USA President for the last 14 of those years. A respected music industry figure, Michael was diagnosed with Leukemia nine years ago and fought the battle for his health with courage and dignity. On May 2, 2006, Michael passed away at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in Manhattan. The family is holding a private remembrance service and has requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation in Michael’s memory be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He is survived by his wife Katherine.

Korg USA offices will close at 12:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, May 5, 2006, in observance of Michael’s passing."

at 5/03/2006 10:27:00 AM

Nice shot of the CMU-810 pulled from this auction. Click image for a bigger shot. This one sent my way via Brandon Daniel. Thanks Brandon.

at 5/03/2006 09:55:00 AM

Via Melissa's Blog.

Update via the comments:

"I remember seeing them when they first came out. What's interesting is it was also one of the first VAs in the sense that it used modelling technology [along with samples]. Check out this SOS review.

According to VSE, the 309 was produced in 1996. The Clavia Nord Lead, credited as the first VA, came out a year before in 1995 along with the Korg Prophecy also in 1995. The Roland JP8000 followed in 1996 with the 309, and the Yamaha AN1X and Access Virus A in 1997."

at 5/03/2006 09:09:00 AM

This one sent in via D. Title link takes you to the glitched.org :: how to's page. There is a secton on modifying a Roland MC-202 to achieve a high-rate LFO similar to the Novamod for the SH-101, and a section on assigning FLStudio transport controls to a M-Audio Axiom 25 transport control buttons.

"I've created a nice little webpage that outlines a specific modification I made to my 202: a high-rate LFO switch. This is only remarkable because I haven't seen any mention of it on any of the enthusiast lists (AH) or anywhere on the internet.

I've done a bunch of other mods to the 202 (outlined on the page), but this is one that was missing. I mean, the 101's Novamod has it, why can't the 202? The synth architecture is just about the same."

Very cool. Thanks D!

at 5/03/2006 12:58:00 AM

flickr by AdamVandenberg.

at 5/03/2006 12:33:00 AM

All Mono Evolver track with Dr. Fusion for the drums. Title link takes you there. Via this VSE Post.

at 5/03/2006 12:06:00 AM

flickr by hi-tekznologik. Anyone know what Korg that is?

at 5/03/2006 12:05:00 AM

Title link takes you to more. Sent to AH via Cary Roberts.

at 5/03/2006 12:04:00 AM

I posted about the FM-800 filter FM mod for the Korg Poly-800 and EX-800 on April 15. New samples have been uploaded. Title link takes you there.

FM800 filter mod

at 5/03/2006 12:03:00 AM

Need more bass out of that Micromoog or Multimoog? Title link takes you to a mod that gives it.

"Micromoogs and Multimoogs have always been adequate for lead lines and noise FX, but they have a "fault" that restricts their ability to deliver bass timbres a'la the classic Minimoog bass. The VCF has a cap on the audio input that provides DC isolation, but it also forms a high pass filter; on the Micro/Multi, the cap is not large enough to allow low frequency components to pass through."

"I compared the modified Micromoog to the Minimoog, and the Micro can easily compete (on a one oscillator level, of course)."

Update via an aononymous reader:
"This mod is just plain wrong.
A bad idea.

There's a reason that Moog put in a .47 uf cap instead of a 100uf cap.
That's over 200 times greater capacity and DC will thump right on in!
.47's are not the most common of caps either. Moog could have easily put in a much more common 1uf or 10uf, but didn't."

at 5/03/2006 12:02:00 AM

"This is Rock and Roll." An oldie but a goodie.

And then there's Belinda and of course Zlad.

at 5/03/2006 12:01:00 AM

via this auction. Warning in case you are thinking of bidding: K/Modeless Factory on AH claims this to be an item he won and never received after paying. "This serial# says this IS what I won. Already reported to ebay.

Update via the comments: "For what it's worth, I believe those were the perfered synth drums of Yukihiro Takahashi of YMO."

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 5/03/2006 12:00:00 AM

"A boatload of utilities, manuals, docs, and most of all patches for the Korg Z1 and K5000s" Via this HC post.

at 5/02/2006 08:52:00 PM

Click here for a post on Salvatore Martirano on Chroniques de la Mao. "I have just put on my blog an astonishing machine of Salvatore Martirano - American composer born on January 12, 1927 in Yonkers, New York, dead on November 17, 1995 - which I had taken in photograph in 1981 at the time of the international festival of Electronic Music, Video and Computer Art" The post includes an mp3 link, more shots and a link to The SAL-MAR Construction. Fascinating stuff. BTW, you might recognize the SAL-MAR Construction from this post.

Update via deb7680:

"Thanks Matrix. Attention, the MP3 is not Salvatore Martirano but duet HplanK with synths (RSF and Ems Synthi Aks), guitar and computers (Apple II and first IBM PC) which I created in 1981. I evoked Hplank because it is the festival of the Plan K in Brussels which gave me the idea of the name of HplanK.
For the meetings, since 1971, I work in the arts centres and as a critic musical in the newspapers. It is my work. I was likely to meet a great number of composers, Pierre Boulez, Xénakis, Pierre Henry Morton Subotnick, musicians like John Mc Laughlin, David Murray, Soft Machine, Cure, Jean-Luc Ponty, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sun Ra, etc...
See this : http://www.deb7680.com/documentation/pierrehenry.pdf"

BTW, if you haven't already, check out Chroniques de la Mao for a lot more on these subjects.